One-way key fob and vehicle pairing

Abstract

Key fob and vehicle control unit identifiers (IDs) are used for entity authentication or trust transfer to achieve a secured initial pairing. The key fob is capable of transmitting only (not receiving) and is paired with a control unit in a vehicle or with any other control device. Use of the key fob and control unit IDs prevents unauthorized pairing and access to the operation key (OpKey) that is later used for communications between the devices. Elliptical curve cryptography (ECC) is used for strong security and efficient implementation. In the pairing process, device IDs are used for entity authentication and public key cryptography is used for easy key management. Symmetric encryption is used for fast normal operation and to accommodate key fob addition or revocation after key fob loss.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 969,154, filed Aug. 16, 2013, which claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 695,145, which is titled “One-Way Keyfob-Car Pairing,” filed on Aug. 30, 2012, the disclosures of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]Embodiments of the invention are directed, in general, to vehicle security and, more specifically, to pairing a key fob that is capable of transmitting to, but not receiving from, a vehicle control unit with the unit.BACKGROUND[0003]Identifiers are assigned to a wireless key fob and a vehicle control unit by their respective manufacturers or by a vehicle manufacturer. The identifiers are used for authentication and / or trust transfer to achieve a secured initial pairing. For the key fob and the vehicle control unit to be able to communicate, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004]Embodiments of the invention provide methods for vehicle and key fob pairing using the identifiers of the key fob and a vehicle control unit. The identifiers are assigned by their respective manufacturers or by a vehicle manufacturer. The identifiers may be used for entity authentication and trust transfer to achieve secured initial pairing. Embodiments use device identifiers (IDs) to reduce message communications among the vehicle manufacturer, vehicle dealer, vehicle control unit, and key fob before, during, and after the vehicle-key fob pairing. This substantially decreases security vulnerabilities that could be otherwise exploited by hackers.

[0005]The key fob and vehicle control unit IDs are assigned by their respective manufacturers, or by a vehicle manufacturer, and are used for entity authentication or trust transfer to achieve secured initial pairing. The key fob is capable of transmitting only (not receiving) and is paired with a control unit in a vehicle or with any other control device. Use of the key fob and control unit IDs prevents unauthorized pairing and access to the operation key (OpKey) that is later used for communications between the devices. The embodiment described herein minimizes vulnerabilities before, during, and after pairing and reduces communication requirements and human involvement during pairing.

[0006]In the example described herein, elliptical curve cryptography (ECC) is used for strong security and efficient implementation; however, other encryption techniques may also be used. In the pairing process, device IDs are used for entity authentication and public key cryptography is used for easy key management. Symmetric encryption is used for fast normal operation and to accommodate key fob addition or revocation after key fob loss.

Problems solved by technology

This substantially decreases security vulnerabilities that could be otherwise exploited by hackers.

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